| Tiny town touts transportation transformation |
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| ODOT Region 5 News |
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October 24 was a big day for the small community of Mt. Vernon located along U.S. Highway 26, nine miles west of John Day in eastern Oregon. For one thing, the Grant County Hot Air Balloon Festival was taking place and using Mt. Vernon school grounds to launch over a dozen colorful air ships during the weekend. While the primitive form of air travel was being enjoyed overhead, Mt. Vernon residents took a few minutes out of their day to also celebrate improvement for the most primitive form of travel, walking. Those improvements were part of ODOT’s $400,000 Mt. Vernon Sidewalk/Streetscape Enhancement Project completed earlier in the month. The project included a $75,000 transportation enhancement grant from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) for new vintage style streetlights.
Constructed by Knife River Construction of Bend, Oregon, the work included: rebuilding the U.S. 26 / U.S. 395 intersection; new curb and storm water drainage system upgrades; new sidewalk with pedestrian friendly bulb-outs, ADA ramps and brick style pavers. The brick paved sections of sidewalk include planting areas for ornamental trees and space for sidewalk furniture. An added safety benefit is that motorists are slowing down as they take note of the new downtown feel along this short stretch of U.S. Highway 26.
“Mt. Vernon is looking great!” said Oregon State Representative (Dist. 59) John Huffman during the event. “Keep up the good work.”
“What a different six months has made,” said Mt. Vernon Mayor Dennis Bradley. He noted that the city initially started looking into funding over seven years ago just to add new welcome signs along the highway. When it was realized the Transportation Enhancement Grant program could provided over $200,000 for improvements for the city, they expanded their wish list.
“We knew financing would be a challenge and were thrilled when our project was selected for funding,” said Bradley. “The ARRA funds that went towards the new street lighting were a major component of the project.”
Bradley also expressed his gratitude to ODOT and the contractor. “Thank you ODOT for your time and energy in putting this project on the ground. From design, engineering, surveying, land acquisition, you name it - we really appreciate your time and energy.” Special thanks when to ODOT Project Inspector Tami Chamberlain who “went beyond the call of duty many times,” Bradley said.
ODOT’s contractor, Knife River Construction of Bend, Oregon also received praise from Bradley, who said “Your people were great to work with.”
Another person who was appreciated during the event was Karen Anderson, “She was responsible for cleaning the post office,” Bradley said, explaining that residents spent all summer long walking through the dusty construction zone to get to the post office.
Grant County Commissioner Boyd Britton also expressed his appreciation for the project, saying “My hat’s off to Knife River Construction. I drove through the project several times throughout the summer and you have a very professional outfit. Congratulations on a job well done.”
ODOT Project Manager Craig Sipp spent a few minutes commenting on the partnership between ODOT, Knife River and the City, saying “We had very good coordination efforts and really appreciate everyone’s patients. Safety for the community is a main goal for ODOT and this project will really improve safety. Tami Chamberlain also did a fantastic job. This was her first project in an urban setting.”
The final speaker for the event was Tom Edmunson from Knife River. He thanked the community for their tolerance and patients to get the job done. “The community made our project folks feel very welcome.” Edmonson recalled an example of this hospitality while visiting the project with some of his crewmember that were staying at the motel next to construction site. “Were we sitting around having a cold one and here comes John (the motel owner) walking over with a big ole pot roast.”
As for the welcome signs that prompted the initial push for the Mt. Vernon Enhancement Project, the City discovered early on that the signs were not eligible for funding under the program guidelines. Giving the new found confidence in getting things done for downtown Mt. Vernon, the City is certain they will have their new welcome signs soon.
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